Chemical Geology, 29 (1980) 183--210 183

Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands

A CLASSIFICATION OF VOLCANIC AND PLUTONIC ROCKS USING

R1R2-DIAGRAM AND MAJOR-ELEMENT ANALYSES -- ITS
RELATIONSHIPS WITH CURRENT NOMENCLATURE

H. D E L A R O C H E , J. LETERRIER, P. G R A N D C L A U D E
and M. M A R C H A L
Centre de Recherehes P~trographiques et G~ochimiques, Centre National de la Recherche
Scientifique ( C.N. R.S. ), 54500 Vandoeuvre-lds-Nancy (France)
(Received July 16, 1979; revised and accepted January 29, 1980)

ABSTRACT

De la Roche, H., Leterrier, J., Granclaude, P. and Marchal, M., 1980. A classification of
volcanic and plutonic rocks using RIR2-diagram and major-element analyses -- Its
relationships with current nomenclature. Chem. Geol., 29: 183--210.

The R I R 2 chemical variation diagram, which includes all of the major cations, a mineral-
ogical network, the degree of silica saturation, and the combined changes in Fe/(Fe+Mg)
and (Ab+Or)/An ratios in igneous rocks, is proposed where:
X or R1 = 4Si - l l ( N a + K ) - 2(Fe+Ti) and Y or R 2 = 6Ca + 2Mg + AI
R 1 and R 2 are parameters calculated either from chemical analyses (oxide percentages con-
verted to millications) or modal data.
Statistical distributions of "current rock names" are given for three large geochemical
files: CLAIR, PETROS and RKFNSYS. A single classification grid, applicable to both
volcanic and plutonic rocks, is proposed which is consistent with basic petrology. Successive
belts spread from two fields, "peridotic" and "granitic or rhyolitic", respectively, with a
poorly-defined intersection in the region of intermediate rock compositions. The radial sub-
divisions crossing the successive belts are consistent with igneous differentiation suites. On
the grid, isovalue lines of silica contents clearly cut across the boundaries between succes-
sive natural belts, except for the calc-alkaline series. Classifications based on silica contents
are thus inconsistent with the current use of nomenclature. The grid has been applied to re-
define the mean chemical compositions of 46 principal igneous rock types.

INTRODUCTION

The wide chemical, mineralogical and textural variety of igneous rocks re-
quires a classification scheme which can systematise the data on both volcanic
and plutonic rocks, and can help to reveal relationships among the different
rock types and their petrogenesis. The general advances in analytical tech-
niques and their widespread availability provide a good argument for re-
considering the methods of classifying this ever-increasing body of data. A
number of different schemes for classifying rocks have been developed based

0009-2541/80/0000--0000/$02.25 © 1980 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company

184

principally on whether prime emphasis is placed upon the chemistry or on the

mineralogy and texture. However, there is no one generally accepted classifica-
tion method, each system having its advocates and its critics.
The I.U.G.S. SubCommission on Systematics of Igneous Rocks (Streckeisen,
1976, 1978) has recently recommended that the major-element chemical
analysis of a rock is recalculated into the normative mineral contents before
applying a mineralogical classification, based on this norm, such as the recom-
mended Q--A--P--F (quartz or feldspathoid--alkali feldspar--plagioclase)
modal classification. But the plotting of analyses in the QAPF-diagram re-
quires the application of certain controversial assumptions concerning the as-
sociation of normative Ab with An and/or Or. Attempts to apply this system,
the most advanced one being by Rittmann (1973), fail to provide complete
consistency between the modal and normative classification of the inter-
mediate and basic rocks. To get round this problem, Streckeisen and Le Ma~re
(1979) have proposed a normative Q'--An--Or--F' classification where Ab is
not included. After empirical adjustment, this system satisfactorily agrees
with the modal QAPF classification. The I.U.G.S. SubCommission is also
examining a "purely chemical classification" based on the classical Na20 + K20
vs. SiO2 diagram (in weight percent), which is currently in use in the U.S.S.R.
Although different, all of these systems in practice only consider the
"teucocratic components". The omission of the "mafic components" is
probably quite unsatisfactory, particularly for rocks of intermediate to basic
compositions. For example, taking the CLAIR file (Le Maftre, 1976), the mean
ratio of the mafic normative minerals is about 30 wt.% for the complete set of
25,924 igneous rocks, and around 41 wt.% for the subset of 3594 "basalts".
There has been no satisfactory verification t h a t the petrological interpretations
are not modified when a classification using only the leucocratic components
is employed.
There should be advantages in a classification scheme which takes into ac-
count all of the major chemical elements. Irvine and Baragar (1971) have pre-
sented such a classification, based on the norm, for volcanic rocks and their
metamorphosed equivalents. An alternative approach is developed here based
on earlier schemes of De la Roche (1964, 1976, 1978) and De la Roche and
Leterrier (1973).
A bivariant chemical-variation diagram is proposed which incorporates all of
the major cations. It is independent of norm calculations and the implicit
model of crystallization adopted when calculating a norm. The diagram is sub-
divided into "pigeon-holes" which are consistent with the currently used
nomenclature on volcanic and plutonic rocks, using three large geochemical
data files: RKFNSYS by Chayes (1972), CLAIR by Le Ma~re (1976) and
PETROS by Mutschler et al. (1976). Mean compositions are given for the
igneous rocks within each pigeon-hole, w i t h o u t considering the names reg-
istered in the data files. Although the statistical distributions of the analysis
within each pigeon-hole have been studied, t h e y are not reported here in detail
because of their volume. Finally, we show how modal compositional data for a
 185

rock can be plotted on the chemical diagram. The apparent impossibility of

such a transfer has been an implicit general objection to the classifications ini-
tially based on the chemistry.

THE CHEMICAL R I R 2 DIAGRAM

All major cations are combined in a bivariant, R2 vs. R~, diagram according
to the following basic objectives:
(1) To display the degree of silica saturation or undersaturation.
(2) To keep the following variations mutually consistent:
(a) Decreasing An content of plagioclases.
(b) Successive occurrence of clinopyroxene, hornblende and biotite
during fractionation.
(c) Increase of alkali feldspar/plagioclase ratio.
To achieve the first objective, the diagram is derived from the classical tetra-
hedron of Yoder and Tilley (1962). The chemical transposition of the tetra-
hedron (Fig. 1) is performed by an appropriate partition of the major cations

B
CPX
/,~ YODERand TILLEY

o/
Nel ....... OZ 4 0 0 (
~PX • DI SiDE
OL
O -- FORSTERITE ee ANORTHITE

\.E,,S,,,,,E

, , - . , = , , "rE- .,,,,.,,,,='r,.E "~'*o~O"`r.O'='=..OS..,~ . "~O,.,,,,,`r:.

I I I e4 I I r I l-- I l I ~ •
-4000 -2000 FAYALITE 2000 Rl=4Si-11(Na+K)- 2 (Fe +Ti)

Fig. 1. Parametric R~R2-diagram derived from the chemical transposition (De la Roche and
Leterrier, 1973) of the normative tetrahedron o f Yoder and Tilley (1962).
The minerals are plotted as ideal end-member compositions except for hornblende and
biotite (see Table IV).
In the diagram are also drawn three representative differentiation series: I = calc-alkaline
series of the Cascade Range (U.S.A.); H = tholeiitic series of the Hebridean province (U.K.);
and III = alkaline series of Hawaii.
The symbols Si, AI, ..., stand for numbers of millications calculated from the raw weight
percentages of oxides. Ferrous and ferric irons are grouped as Fe.
186

b e t w e e n f o u r m u l t i c a t i o n i c p a r a m e t e r s (see the A p p e n d i x f o r details):

at the quartz apex: Q = Si + 3A1/4 - (Mg+Fe+Ti)/2 - 3Ca/2 - 7(Na+K)/4
at the olivine apex: P = ... + 3A1/4 + 3(Mg+Fe+Ti)/2 - 3Ca/2 - 3(Na+K)/4
at the diopside apex: B = ... - 2A1 ... + 4Ca + 2(Na+K) ~..
at the nepheline apex: N = ... + 3A1/2 . . . . . . + 3(Na+K)/2
= Si + A1 + Mg+Fe+Ti + Ca + Na+K

where the s y m b o l s Si, Al, ..., stand f o r c o r r e s p o n d i n g cationic n u m b e r s de-

rived f r o m f o r m u l a e o f minerals or calculated f r o m r o c k analyses. T o t a l iron is
taken f o r Fe t o w h i c h Ti is arbitrarily associated a n d K is a d d e d t o Na. When
directly applied t o the ideal f o r m u l a e o f the principal minerals, t h e values in
Table I are given.

TABLEI

Partition coefficients of the four multicationic parameters for the principal minerals, using
their ideal formulae.

Qz or Ab An OPX CPX OL Ne

q 1 2 2 2 1 0 0 0

P 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 0

B O 0 0 0 0 4 0 0

N 0 3 3 3 0 0 0 6

Inside this c h e m i c a l t e t r a h e d r o n , the "critical plane" o f silica saturation,

passing t h r o u g h the BP ( C P X - - O L ) edge and t h e figurative p o i n t o f plagio-
clases, c o r r e s p o n d s t o the discriminant function:
F- 3Q - 2N
This f u n c t i o n equals zero f o r a n y p o i n t lying on the critical plane. It has in-
creasingly positive or negative values for the rocks or minerals p l o t t i n g a w a y
f r o m the critical plane t o w a r d s q u a r t z or nepheline, respectively. In o r d e r t o
simplify the final m u l t i c a t i o n i c expression o f the F - f u n c t i o n , 3 Q - 2 N can be
replaced b y the equivalent relation 4 Q - 8 N / 3 giving (De la R o c h e a n d
Leterrier, 1 9 7 3 ) :
F- 4Si - A 1 - 2(Mg+Fe+Ti) - 6 C a - l l ( N a + K )
where Si, Ak ..., stand f o r t h e miUicationic numbers calculated f r o m o x i d e
percentages in r o c k s or minerals.
A n y bivariant diagram w h i c h preserves the c o m p l e t e set o f coefficients o f
 187

the F-function gives a projection parallel to the critical plane (De la Roche,
1978). Taking the simplest possibility, the F-function is expressed in the form
F = R1 - R2, R1 and R2 being two parameters of a bivariant variation
diagram (Fig. 1). The critical plane (R~ = R2 ; F = 0) is projected along the
first bisecting line of such a diagram. Then, considering our second objective
above, the major cations are divided among R1 and R2 as follows:
R1 = 4Si - l l ( N a + K ) - 2(Fe+Ti) and R2 = A1 + 2Mg + 6Ca
The grouping of Mg with Ca and Al, against Fe with Na, K and Si gives the
quasi-coincidence of forsterite (Fo) with anorthite (An) and the proximity of
fayalite (Fa) to alkali feldspars (Ab--Or), along the first bisecting line or
"critical line of silica saturation". The pure diopside (MgCPX) also plots on
this critical line, beyond forsterite, thus marking the field of ultramafic
peridotites opposite to that of felsic rocks. Plotting quartz, nepheline and
some other principal minerals on Fig. 1 gives a network which appropriately
satisfies the objectives (1) and (2) above. The usefulness of the R,R2-diagram
can be appreciated from several studies on various igneous series (Maury, 1976;
Barri~re, 1977; De la Roche, 1978, 1979; Leterrier and Maury, 1978; Pagel
and Leterrier, 1980).

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF IGNEOUS ROCKS

For the Q--A--P--F modal classification the diagram is subdivided by a

rectilinear grid. One set of lines, going from quartz to nepheline, marks the
ratios of plagiclase to alkali feldspar. Another crossing set gives the propor-
tions of quartz or nepheline. Application of individual rock series and data
from large files to the Q--A--P--F-diagram demonstrates that neither typical
igneous differentiation trends nor the correlated scattering of rock families, as
defined from current nomenclature, are in general agreement with such sub-
divisions which are based on ratios among mineral phases. This empirical dis-
crepancy has a general explanation. Igneous petrology does not primarily de-
pend on mineral ratios but on the separation of solid phases from liquids
(fractionation) or the reverse (partial melting). Such a rectilinear grid is thus
more geometrically attractive than geologically sound. A comparable
rectilinear grid (Fig. 2) was applied to the R,R2-diagram by De la Roche
(1976). Further examination, with the help of data files, led to the rejection
of such a rectilinear grid and the development of the following curvilinear grid
(Fig. 3).
From a consideration of the mineralogical information included within the
R,R2-diagram (Fig. 1) two principal fields are outlined: a peridotitic or picrit~
ic field, delineated by CPX, OPX and OL in the upper part, and an extensive.
felsic (rhyolitic or granitic) field, bounded by Qz, Ab--Or in the lower part.
Most igneous series have their origins in either one or other of these two fields.
Other rock types plot in successive belts about either the peridotitic or felsic
centres with intermediate rocks occurring at the intersection of the belts
188

ii
i ~ till

300( -+ 7 i / .
/ / /
t.O .-
-~ / i~
t - o eII\ 711n-

-o "/ t
jt 1 / t : ~ "4k Ens

- / 7----<+',

11 R+- ~ .... ~ - - ' & // 2L---+'s'.<.-6 "t - - ....

:' - m / 1. . .t-
. . . . . . .............. _ L _ ----
,< i F" IZ'L'- i RI: 4Si 11(No+K)
, 2 ( Pc*-~ + ~
-lOOO ~ooo 2 ooo ~ooc

Fig. 2. Plot of the rectilinear grid of the Q--A--P--F-diagram of Streckeisen and Le Maitre
(1979), on the R~R: diagram (after De la Roche, 1976).

(Fig. 3). The network for the basaltic rocks (saturated to undersaturated) and
their differentiation suites is the most extensive and well defined. It is evident
from Fig. 3 that there is no coherence between the basaltic network and the
rhyolites. The problem concerning the crossing of the two networks has no
clear answer. The solution proposed here seems to be the simplest one. The
curvilinear grid in Fig. 3 was constructed from mean compositions of rocks
using the current nomenclature. Boundaries were then adjusted by studying
the isodensity curves, name by name (see Fig. 4A--E) for the three major geo-
chemical data files of igneous rocks: RKFNSY$ of Chayes, PETROS of
Mutschler and CLAIR of Le Ma~re. Three additional references are included
on Fig. 3:
(1) The "critical line of silica saturation" together with the locations of the
principal related minerals.
(2) The "andesitic band" (marked in grey) which runs from andesites to

Fig. 3. Curved classification grid derived from an essentially geological approach: the
natural evolutionary trends o f igneous rock series and the currently-used nomenclature (see
text for discussion): (a) grid for the volcanic rock families; and (b) grid for the plutonic
rock families.
The shaded z o n e corresponds to the "andesite band" or the "dioritic band".
... 40 ... : weight percent silica contours based on data from the CLAIR file.
The "olivine basalt" (or "olivine gabbro") pigeon-hole has been divided into three fields:
undersaturated (u.s.), saturated (s.) and oversaturated (o.s.).
 189

trachyandesites and then, in the undersaturated field, to mugearites and

phonotephrites.
(3) The weight percent silica contours.
/

"" "-~ Ens

b' " °

,~_Ne
• . -'/5""
Qz~

I{Na+K)-2 (Fe+Ti)

1000 2000 3000

\ Ens

L" ""

~ z ~

I + K ) - 2 {Fe+Tl)
o=
190

DISTRIBUTION OF MAIN IGNEOUS FAMILIES IN THE R,R2-DIAGRAM

Using the original rock names, analyses in the CLAIR and PETROS files
which were published after 1960 have been separated by computer analysis at
C.R.P.G. into the principal rock types. The mean compositions of these
26 selected families are given in Table II.
For each of these families, computer-drawn frequency curves are presented
in Fig. 4. Three distribution figures are given for comparison when our data
are completed by those of the RKFNSYS file of F. Chayes (pers. commun.,
1978). For the CLAIR and PETROS distributions, the percentage of analyses
which fall outside of the delineated area is indicated on the outermost con-
tour. Fig. 4 shows how the classification grid, presented in Fig. 3, takes these
empirical distributions and their overlapping into account.
Some comments on the observed distributions are warranted:
(1) Starting with the current nomenclature, the rock families display a wide

TABLE II

Mean compositions and R~R2-values of the main igneous rock families. The chemical data
are taken from the CLAIR (CL) and PETROS (P) files excluding analyses published before
1960.
© CL1, P1 -- Compositions deduced from the current nomenclature; ~) CL2, P2 --
C o m p o s i t i o n s o f the modes of the distribution of some igneous families in the R~R=-diagram.
For the basanite and diorite families, two modes have been calculated using data from the
PETROS file.
CL-, P-values in italics: Compositions deduced from the distribution of the analyses inside
the pigeon-holes of the classification grid in the R~R2-diagram.
*Number of analyses; **The highly silica oversaturated character of the monzonites from
the CLAIR file results from the large predominance in this family of quartz--monzonites
equivalent to monzo-granites as defined by Streckeisen (1967).
The mean standard deviations may be obtained from the authors.
~@LCRNIC ROCKS

~salt ~nkar~tri te ~;a,,an~ t e

>;/I~ ,' 5 90 flO?! :29' ;71 ~143: 'r 17•} ::321 iqC) !4 ]' { :I0,! ~ { ! J'4'

Slo 2 ~:!.'4~ ;9.95 49.79 ,. '. ; II.79 42.]i a3.11,~ al EO 13 ~ ~ ;.

~I2L) 3 ~.: 7 /4.90 ]5.94 , , ; ' 14,38 13.4 14,56 13.61 i'.6! ,
Fer,8 i "~ i J 274 1.5 ;.:~ 4.;!9 4.45 ].q[ h.36 ~ i~ ;,',
Fe9 1 8,25 9,3! . . . . , i I :.87 L84 7.36 9 1
'4nO .i~ L.19 8.1e~ . .. (:13 [h]9 0 I~ '.18 )13 , .

:~g;I 61, 6.81 ?.53 . : .,,'" 8 9(1 q.60 9. '4 "q66 ii 60 ' . Z: . '
,.a~ * ',] 9.94 11.1@ '. • . i].41 11.44 la),41 ll.S] ]i '9 ".
Na,O :.69 2 ~ . ; ,. ; }; 4 ! 1.44 8.1 ~ I=8 66 .
KZ3 i t 0.74 9.28 ., . ] '~0 151 I.!~ !62 1£,4
Ti i 76 179 1.64 . ,.6' 287 . 6 1.5: t
721 - ) 29 ,3 17 ' .., a 7t '),89 1.1!:2 .97 )~', .
H2S'" ! J 143 0?2 ; .' ! 16 1.22 I ; k2~ ]~9 . :~
H,,5- " :)?2 053 . ,~,' 3,82 ', 76 ] 59; : 8]

Tatal i01 I'~ 100.7~ i 0 0 . 9 7 7CPL ~ ,:;.95 191.3q 99,86 99.!<~' 9q. 7 99.91 , ,:

R! 16 : 1851 2017 949 :~[1 113 649 ll[/ ,

R? 162 " 1698 1861 . • " 1~4; 197[l ]Sije' i939 ?t)ql ,
 191

T A B L E II (continued)
Alkali basalt (olivine)Basalt high A] Tholeiite
Basalt
PI P2 CL P PI CL P PI 6LI PI P2 CL P
(288) (78) (282) (314) (578) (853) (1759) (24) (183) (271) ( 6 2 ) (361) (1494)
SiO 2 46.28 46.17 45.94 46.10 47.96 48.55 48.41 49.00 49,50 49.57 49.38 48.78 50.11
AI203 1 4 , 9 9 14.62 14.88 14.79 15.43 15.76 16.30 17.24 14.83 14.79 14.73 16.06 15.23
Fe203 3.59 3.36 4.09 3.72 3,82 3,74 3.35 2,27 3.50 3 . 6 7 3 . 2 9 3 . 3 3 1.78
FeO 8.19 8.75 7.46 8.06 7,29 7.27 8.08 6.76 7.80 7 . 8 7 7 . 9 9 7.82 8.7l
~nO 0.18 0,17 0 . 1 8 0,18 0,18 0,16 0.18 0.16 0.18 0 . 1 8 0.18 0.17 0.18
MgO 8.10 9.44 8 . 4 6 7.91 7.90 2.27 7.22 7.41 7.47 6.99 7,54 7.83 7.88
CaO 9.94 10.70 I0.19 10.38 10.05 9.87 10,25 11.22 10.30 I0.37 10,68 10.77 11.18
Na20 3.02 2.71 2.97 3,05 2,86 2.84 2.60 2.77 2.37 2.45 2.26 8. I0 2.88
K20 0.97 0.60 1.37 1.17 0.95 0.92 0.68 0.29 0.37 0,42 0.31 0.43 0.88
TiO 2 2,38 2.01 8.53 2.50 1.94 1.78 1.82 1.23 1,97 2 . 0 7 2 . 1 5 1.39 1,38
P205 0.46 0.20 0.52 0.46 0.39 0.80 0,28 0.14 0.24 0.25 0 . 2 3 0 . 1 9 0,17
H20+ 1,26 0.91 1.24 1.26 0.99 0.99 1.30 0.89 1.02 1.09 1.02 0.60 1.18
H20- 0.69 0.31 O. 69 0.51 0.55 0.60 0.68 0.38 0.61 0.59 0.56 0.48 0.52

Total I00.05 100.03 130.12 100.11 100.3] 100,05 100.47 99.76 100.16 100.31 I00,31 100.83 100.74

RI 1411 1600 1321 1338 1611 1673 1716 1941 2020 1974 2063 2154 2,147
82 1767 1905 1803 1798 1774 1730 1759 1911 1768 1751 1810 1846 1890

Nephelinite Tephrite Hawaiite Lati Basalt

CL P CL P CLI PI CL P CLI PI CL P
(23) (21) (133) (101) (70) (177) (213) (232) (37) (47) (139) (252)
SiO2 41.74 40.38 45.05 44.52 47.55 48.16 48.04 47.81 51.58 50,35 60.66 49.55
A1203 I4.34 13,92 15.75 15.40 16.05 15.83 1 6 . 3 4 15.82 16.75 15.94 16.17 15.27
Fe503 5.46 5,07 4.48 4.76 3.66 5,04 4.64 5.07 3.92 4.00 4.S7 4.94
FeO 7.31 7.23 7.32 7.16 8,45 7,18 6.70 6,98 5.22 4.68 8 . 0 8 7.00
MnO 0.59 0.21 0.19 0.21 0,19 0.19 0.17 0.19 0.14 0 . 1 4 0 . 1 7 0 . 2 0
M90 7.18 7.19 6.52 8.15 5.04 4.72 5.16 5.22 4.86 6.22 4.89 5.15
CaO 11.00 11.47 9.32 9.85 7,91 8.46 8.12 8.16 7.76 7.90 7.66 7.76
Na20 5.07 4.69 3.97 4.10 4.10 3.92 3.78 3.86 2.99 2.66 3.65 3.52
K20 2.40 2,/5 2.28 1.94 1.46 1.45 1.98 1,64 3.05 3.29 1.91 1.53
fiO 2 2.71 3.29 2.83 3.00 3.18 3.09 2.60 8.69 1.39 0.97 2.01 2.17
P205 1.15 1.07 O. 79 O, 85 0.70 0,67 0.63 0.62 0.56 0.62 0,47 0.54
H50+ 1.49 1.71 1.18 1,33 0.68 1.08 1.32 1.47 1,12 2.33 1.31 1.78
H20" 0.55 0.73 0.45 0.55 0.48 0.52 0.79 0.70 0.72 0.84 0,75 1.20

Total 100.99 99,41 100,18 99.82 99.45 100.31 100.28 100.88 100.06 99.84 100.04 100.82

R1 15 45 675 666 968 1078 1043 1053 1387 1392 1309 1524
82 1819 1861 1639 1663 1415 1452 1448 1445 1403 1470 1582 1388

Andesibasalt Phonotephrite rlugearite Latite

CL P CL P CLI PI CL2 P2 CL P CL1 PI CL P
(918) (1381) (74) {46) (80) ( n 7 ) (8) (26) (183) (184) (132) (61) (67) (102)
SiO2 53.44 52,12 47,73 47.06 50.67 53.22 49.74 52.04 51.48 2 1 . 2 2 60.50 62.40 55.06 54.52
A1203 16183 12,20 16.94 16.19 16.51 16.25 16.54 16.30 16.84 16.63 15.96 15.88 18,19 15.16
Fe203 3.75 3.27 4.45 4,19 4.97 3.96 3.81 4.33 4.57 4.83 3.24 3,22 4.12 4.98
FeO 5.58 8,35 5.89 7.15 6.35 6.21 8.02 6.25 8.39 5.73 2.29 1.94 4.68 5.7I
MnO 0,15 0.19 0.18 0.20 0.23 0.25 0.24 0.24 0.20 0.22 0.14 0,i0 0.24 0.25
M90 4,76 4.82 4.15 4.57 3.47 2.89 3.84 3.12 3.30 3.30 2.51 1.67 3. I0 3,23
CaO 8.36 8.58 7.59 7,?8 5.90 6.13 6.31 6.99 6,09 6.55 4.42 3,38 5.52 5.62
Na20 3.04 2,88 5.08 5.27 4.76 4.96 5.03 4.59 4,62 4.75 3.85 4.20 4.08 4.06
K20 1.24 1.06 3.02 2.28 2~40 2.22 2.16 2.03 2, 76 2.47 3.79 3.91 2.85 2.41
TiO2 1.19 1.89 2. 40 2.89 2.00 1.95 1 . 9 7 2.33 1.99 2. I 6 0,83 0,74 1.45 1.88
P205 0.23 0.53 0.81 1,06 0.68 0.72 0 . 6 2 0.83 0,65 0.79 0.33 0.39 0.49 0.59
820+ 0.86 1.31 I . 28 I. 04 1.49 i.ii 1.56 1.08 1.48 1.35 1.26 1 , 2 2 1.38 1.56
H20- 0.52 0.65 O. 49 O. 60 1.04 0.55 1,02 0.33 0,75 0.66 0.83 0,60 0,76 0.85

Total 100.05 100.58 100.00 100.26 100.47 100.42 100.86 100.46 100.06 100.16 99.95 99.65 99.93 100.30

RI 1915 1851 838 858 775 947 660 1025 829 822 1615 1603 1887 1280
R2 1466 1453 1352 1377 I130 1121 1193 1225 1148 1161 912 757 1064 1061
192

T A B L E II (continued)
L at iandesite Andeslte Phonollte

,i 9 iLl
(141~ ', 1 8 8 ) 1981) 1609 aa~ 14!~

SiO 2 ,; ',.,' 57.92 ,,z a~, 5h~ ",c.~ -~

A1203 :':, ,< ? i . ;! L6.86 16.9<

Fe203 ; . ~: 130 b
FeO ' :, :. 7' 4.17 ~ a4 1.90

MnO . : . , ,~ ?.14 1', r,.i:

MgO ' ' , ;,' ~.41 7. 1

CaO .<: ~.~ 6. ~4 b 8: • . 4*.., < ~h

3.47 ~47 ,, • la
Na20 , ~,- ,:. ' ,
K20 , . .?
TiO 2 , , l.n' ~.8h ~a

P205 . '.l . ~L, • 31 C '~ te~

H20+ ,~ .:,4 98~ 1 ! .gh t "

H20- .,: t4

Total 9~', ~ I .~" i00.12 lOO.l ",.. 99.85 11;0. ~..,a

RI :r,~ b'b" 2063 446 46,.

1235 !23~ .... ~,~ 569

Trachyte ~uar~z rracnvre ~ a r t,, .... )dL ~t >

%1 P1 CL2 P? CL
(306) (219) (50) (62) 16!' ]45 97 1',~ -a IJ
~457

SiO 2 61./9 60.73 59.93 60.54 ,

AI203 16 71 16.69 17.77 17,74 : . ; d~ ~0.

Fe203 3.i8 3.32 3.25 3.15 4'

FeO 2.36 3.71 2.25 2,19 =~" r

MnO 0.18 0.20 0.20 0,18

MgO 0.88 0.98 0.70 0.77

CaO /.18 2.48 2.04 2.11

Na20 5.48 5.86 6.01 6.28 ,',
KsO 4.90 4.35 5.25 4.68 ; ~:
TiO2 0.76 0.87 0.64 0.71
P208 0.73 0.28 0.26 0.24
H20+ 1.21 1.15 0.91 0.95
820- 0.66 0,82 0.72 0,74

Total I00,02 100.44 99.93 100.28 ~,~.,. . -- ,Ju < .....

RI 835 779 475 559 ~," " ~

R2 606 640 602 613

Rhyodac 1 te Rhyolite ~,~Q~ ~nyo!ite

CLI PI CL2 P2 CL P CLI P] EL/ L, I ,. ,

(95) (62) {18) (15) /378 ~217) (448) (590) (66) {293i (205) i~' "v / ) ;171]

SiO2 65.70 65.41 67.38 63.16 " ~ . . ; .~./o 72.01 71.56 74.85 ,.,'r ',~' P< :,'
A1203 15.30 15.44 15.43 15.96 ;;,J 13.20 12.68 12.79 ',<. ' ~ :;. " l!.i;:: .
Fez03 2.51 3.21 2.41 3 15 '. ,, ;' 1.45 2,35 3.97 ,., ,.~ 5', , ....
FeO 1.58 1 . 7 9 0.95 1.63 ...: . , 1,24 1.76 0.58 .", [ e: .;
MnO 0,09 0.11 0.06 0.06 .. .~ [].06 0.13 0.04 J;' .)v ; L;- . :,~ .,
MgO h76 h39 1.06 178 '; ".. 0.42 0.35 9.21 . ; . ;, 1 ' .
CaO 3.49 2.90 2.76 3,33 ,. " .. ," ]. I3 1.09 0.81 .. :/, >4 , ~ . ;
Na20 3.75 3.96 3.92 4.04 . 3.54 4.38 3.64 .2 : )( , :
KsO 3.06 3.34 3.4h 3.18 ' '. 4.17 4.20 4.44 ,.~,, ~4t ; ;.'"
TiO 2 0.58 0.60 0.47 0.71 . ;, ., " 0.29 0.36 0,16 .,~" .,H: .> . ; ,:"
P205 0.23 0.23 0.17 n,27 .:, 0.98 0.09 8.05 , ,' ' . ' ] '. L
HzO+ 1.29 1.40 1.38 193 ., r 1.23 0,97 1.16 .:j . : ' ,'
820- 0.83 0.56 1,14 3,52 .": , ,' 3.59 0.39 3.64 .,, .~ ;

Total 100.17100.34 l q 0 . b 9 99,74 , , * ~ ,,,.j IOOA'I 100.31 i00.32 . ' . 1000f .

R1 2211 2035 2193 I892 . 21,+" 2546 7108 26i7 L;,!, ~ J L9]!
R2 762 683 652 759 ". ' 401 385 34~ ~: ::, ~,3
 193

TABLE II (continued)
PLUTONIC ROCKS

Gabbro Melteigite Theralite Alkali (Olivine) Gabbro ljolite

Gabbro Gabbro Norite
CLI PI P2 CL P CL P CL P CL P CL P CL P
(I191) (322) (50) (4) (1) (16) (15) (29) (21) (254) (79) (268) (48) (3) (3)
SiO2 5 0 . 2 0 47.72 48.02 35.59 34.14 44.03 41,86 45,68 44.80 48.41 48.26 50.08 50.04 36.59 43.76
Al203 15.39 15.49 1 6 . 7 5 13.23 13.40 15.14 13.90 16.72 15.54 15.49 IG. ZI 15.29 15.97 19.93 16.29
Fe?O
3_ 3.21 3.34 2.60 6.79 4.82 5,48 4.02 4,95 ,3.32 3.69 2.87 2.27 3.05 2.52
FeO 7.43 7.21 7.06 7.67 17.65 7.15 7.02 2.29 7.99 8.41 6,83 7,73 7.62 2,60 6,95
MnO 0.12 0.18 0.17 0.15 0.19 O. 15 0.20 0.17 0.18 0,13 0.17 0,11 0.17 0.39 0,21
MgO 7.90 7 . 9 7 8.16 8,45 9, 63 7.67 8,42 7.43 5.94 7.47 6.62 8.71 7.92 0.96 4.17
CaO 9.54 10.92 11.53 14,26 13,05 11.58 11.94 10.33 10.67 9.80 I0,12 9.92 10.59 13.45 10.23
Na20 2.36 2 . 4 7 2.33 2.37 2.21 3.23 2.74 2.97 2.70 2.76 2,88 2.22 2.35 4.09 5,91
K20 0.87 0.69 0.33 0.92 0.72 1.43 1.34 1.22 1,50 0.61 0.91 0,59 0,42 4.97 3,07
TiO2 1.04 1 . 7 9 1.10 5.04 5.27 2.15 3,65 2.07 3.61 1.24 1.48 0.86 1.10 0.97 3.40
P205 0.22 0 , 3 3 0.I1 2.26 I. 77 0.51 1.24 0,21 0.55 0.25 0.32 0.18 0,18 0.09 0,90
820+ 0.71 1 . 4 6 1.52 1,31 - 1,53 1.37 0,97 1.26 0.78 1,95 0.57 1.26 2.61 1.30
H20- 0.23 0.28 0.26 0. 73 1,12 0.49 0.32 0.62 0.22 0.46 0,13 0.18 0.51 O. ZO

Total 9 9 . 2 2 99.85 99.94 98,79 98.03 100.51 99.65 99.40 100.21 99.19 99.85 99, 26 99.97 90.04 99, 30

R1 1998 1811 2010 802 701 1093 1082 1351 1245 16~6 1665 2106 2107 - 323 - 241
R2 1720 1873 1972 2212 2143 1922 1962 1607 1745 1729 1733 I799 1842 1690 1634

Essexite Syeno- Monzo- Gabbro- Syeno- Monzonite

Gabbro Gabbro Diorite Diorite
CL P CL P CL P CL P CL P CLII I P1 CL2el CL P
(50) (48) (46) (34) (58) (23) (285) (74) (62) (81) (179) (i08) (30) (50) (14)
SiO2 45.52 46.67 47.46 47.06 50.57 49.73 53.06 53.72 53.94 52.85 65.41 54.01 70.77 5 5 . 7 3 54.91
AI203 16.67 16.15 15.92 16.47 15.86 14.75 ]5.51 16.27 17.35 17.10 15.47 1 7 . 0 6 14.86 ]7.2O 16.09
Fe203 4.82 3.47 4,60 3.99 3.45 4.23 2.64 2.41 3,99 4,78 1.81 5.19 1.18 2.75 3.46
feO 5.30 7.99 7.09 7.53 7.63 7.92 6,91 6.32 5.16 4.25 2.47 3.02 1.25 4.87 4,46
MnO 0.15 0.30 0.15 0,25 0.14 0.21 0.11 0.15 0.14 0.16 0.08 0.17 0.06 0.10 0.14
qgO 4.70 4.20 4, 79 5,12 4.66 5,22 6,42 5.98 3.11 3.19 1.69 3.13 0.73 3.04 3.56
CaO 8.76 6,21 8,54 8.41 7.70 7.46 7.95 7.81 5.60 5.71 3.34 5.03 2.10 5.50 5,24
Na20 4.28 4.50 3.54 3,56 3,64 3,56 2.65 3,25 4.95 5.11 3.66 5.04 3.59 4.47 3,?6
K20 2.64 2.95 2.16 1.93 1.79 1.65 1.26 1.10 2.90 3,27 4.14 3.67 4.05 2.62 3.29
TiO2 2.4& 6.84 2,18 2.55 1,52 2.06 0,93 1.03 1.28 1.98 0.59 1.78 0.35 1.07 1,69
P205 0.99 1,03 0.62 0,64 0.39 0.50 0.27 0,32 0.42 0.87 0.22 0.78 0.11 0.36 0,53
H20+ 2.57 1.56 1.77 1.99 1.21 1.92 0.67 1.53 I. 26 0,71 0.99 0.86 0.64 1.46 1,27
H20- 0.60 0.59 0.61 0.61 0.36 0.69 0,22 0.27 0.46 0,55 0.52 0.40 0.36 0.6? 0.67

Total 99.75 100.56 99.33 92.71 99.34 99,90 99.00 100.06 100.46 100.55 100.39 100.14 100.05 99.64 99.31

R] 689 482 1056 1059 1319 1299 1947 1911 667 660 1989 681 2423 1286 1296
R2 1952 1407 1464 1480 1380 1350 1476 1450 1096 1106 746 1062 553 1079 1056

Monzo-
Diorite Nepheline Syenite
Diorite
CL P CLI P] P2 P2 CL P CL1 Pl CL P
(92) (33) (440) (85) (10) (16) ( 2 3 2 ) (I16) (142) (47) (144) (110)

sig 2 57.51 56,62 57.70 53.25 48.88 54.71 57.45 58.99 53.57 55.59 55.45 56.47
A1203 15.90 16.51 16.44 17.16 16.98 17.25 15.24 16.22 19.88 19.69 19.40 17.60
Fe2O3 2, 79 3.00 2.63 3.08 4 . 6 1 2,55 2,26 1.93 3.99 2.58 2.87 3.12
FeO 5.I6 4.43 5.03 5.18 5.46 5,42 5,49 4,39 1,85 2 . 6 1 2.67 3.73
MnO 0.13 0.14 0.12 0.15 0.20 0.14 0.11 0.12 0.22 0.16 0.17 0.17
MgO 3.52 2.95 3.65 4.19 4 . 7 1 4.77 4.62 5.98 0.87 0.92 1 . 1 6 1.33
CaD 5.46 5.91 6.51 7 . 8 3 8.45 7,76 6.45 6.20 2.15 2.61 2.62 2.92
NazO 3,74 3.75 3.54 3.77 3.69 3.26 2.9I 3.53 8.54 7.27 6.90 6.53
K2O 2.70 2.55 1.61 1.56 1.56 0.95 1.71 1.63 5.52 5.90 5.66 5.17
TiO2 0.99 l.ll 0.92 1,27 1.74 0.85 0,82 0.78 0.68 0.53 0.72 1.08
P205 0.36 0.43 0.27 0.46 0.61 0.29 0.27 0,23 0.22 0.22 0.23 0.36
H20+ 1.11 1.66 1.22 1 . 6 4 2.04 1.58 0,95 1,39 1.38 1.43 1.49 1.38
H20" 0.47 0,48 0.45 0.58 0.94 0.39 0.25 0,20 0.35 0.61 0.48 0.62

Total 99.66 95,46 100.09 100.12 99.87 99.92 99.23 99.98 99.22 1 0 0 . 1 2 99.81 1 0 0 . 4 0

R1 1636 1623 1986 1598 1276 2032 2167 2101 - 919 - 382 - 242 31
R2 1075 1094 1202 1385 1473 1408 1234 1192 664 710 721 724
194

TABLE II (continued)

Syenite Quartz Quartz r,na;~re

Syenite Monzonite
~.l PI CL2 P2 FL P (~ P EL P ELI Pl f'Z C P
~220) (179) (21) (60) (871 (103) (32! (2;!/ 1591 (3,) (59) (242) :3]:, (9561 (2451

SiO 2 5.'65 60.82 59.79 61.94 '?. ', ~.;.' ':," ,'~.' ,;. ~ 61,76 62,00 6i.5~ ":.:1 %%,~
A1203 17.30 16.60 16.69 16.83 , ' & : .b:,: :,..' '..'' .:'.' 16.44 16.64 !6.69 ..~,: :g,2~
Fe2O3 3.1f 2,ii 3.06 1.82 L.~" .,'~ 1,82 1,53 I /~ ; ,,~ i.#~
FeO 2.68 3.76 3.44 3.81 :.4 ~ ~*.08 3.67 1( ?, ,<,
MnO 0,!6 0.15 0.23 0.14 .~/ .'/ . ,. . , ; . , . 0i~9 0.10 :i ') ,:. , :
M90 !,/8 0.96 1.17 0.52 ,.,, .'% :.': . , ;' , .i9 3.19 ): ,0J I :, ';
CaO 338 2.55 1.96 187 '.', .9;'
Na20 557 5.77 5,07 5.57 : :~ ]85 3.80 i0 ; ;.:
K80 5~1 5.20 5.85 5.82 ..' . ; i .Sq 1.49 '~ ; : ',
TiO Z -' ~3 0.75 0.53 059 ,?, ,' ].79 0.86 { ~[; ,.: ;:L:
P205 !:.19 0.25 0.27 0.17 .', ', . : . . . .23 0./0 i~ ......
H80+ L 15 0.78 1.08 053 ..,J .'i: i i 1,09 ~ii ., 5.~,!
H20 :744 0,37 ,0.47 0.45 ,', .i 'Y . .r . ' ' ~7 0.18 !6 . '

lotal 9955 103.07 99.61 100.16 Ju. ; l :<c,, %,;,,;.: L , . . ' 108.28 100.10 10: I~ . . ; ,''. :

RI 041 597 632 626 '

R2 79:, 651 596 557 eL/ ;%" 'i ; "¢ '' ~ ', 1021 1081 1906 ,,';

Granodiorite Adamellite Grani te :, ]ks i i Grani te

(~.! Pl CL P CLI :L1 Pl CL2 P2 :L F L P

{b173 (476) 16323 (344) (1841 [11763 (499) (385} [i06} (785) (324) 163, 9~;

SiO 2 65.83 67.84 %8.34 69.! ~ 69.16 71,55 71.88 7363 74.98 :.;; ,.!: ~. ,,.
Al803 !5.62 15.34 ~5.15 !~.!2 14.66 14.35 13.90 13 76 13.29 :4.:¢ .!a : i; ::,:~
Fe203 1 83 1.09 ~.39 7.25 135 1.14 1.27 O.~? 0.69 ..i,; ~.~: , .bl
FeO .32 2.43 2.:~ 2.0Z 2.29 1.48 ].46 1.37 0.84 . :. ~ . .9;

MnO 0.08 0,09 %OY 9.07 0.08 0.05 0.07 0.04 0.06 . t .
M90 ~.85 1.48 2,26 2.2~ 1.05 0.69 0.56 0.41 025 .L ~,~i •: '
CaO ~76 3.28 2.95 2.9% 2.33 1.69 1.51 1.03 072 ~.'~ 7.:, .~C .;~
Na20 3.69 3.55 3.66 3.6i 3,42 3.73 3.73 3.68 3.49 ,:.¢" ,:.::5 :," 4.,'5
K20 2.84 3.24 2.33 ~.&: 4.39 4.08 4.85 4.52 4.13 7..:J 4. . ' I, #

TiO 2 ~i.53 0.47 0.4~ ~.42 0.46 0.3'0 0.32 021 ,1.16 '.,' .i<: : ::
P205 C.18 0.17 0. i 6 P.~# 0.17 0.13 0.1t 0,i0 0.07 7.: ,i: , .:':'
H80+ C.57 0.76 %78 0. r : ' Q.61 0.62 O. 69 O. 58 O. 59 . ": . .: . 5.<
H20" ;29 0.17 Y.8C >.;~ 0.14 0.19 0.23 018 0.14 .'.~ '.'1 • .; .::

Total 100.29 99.91 33.J7 33.J7 100.11 100.00 99.98 99.98 99.91 .' . ~: ~3.3 : . : 3~.J':

2411 2384 2525 2611 !4! '5C% ;p..:

RI 2286 2399 249v 255! 2264
R2 801 727 67~ ~g 590 497 465 400 350 4%9 42~ % <~ 31 :,

range of chemical variations. Neighbottring families overlap to a large extent

(Fig. 5). Nevertheless, most of these families present rather well-centered
distributions with the scatter resulting, partly or mainly, from semantic noise.
According to this assumption, the c o m m o n rock name assigned to each of the
pigeon-holes in the chemical grid appears to be acceptable.

Fig. 4. Distribution o f 26 igneous rock families in the RlR2-diagram defined by computer-

drawn frequency curves. The chemical data are from the CLAIR (CL), RKFNSYS (R) and
PETROS (P) data files. For each rock family, the mean composition (circle) and, for some
of them, the composition o f the mode o f their distribution (star) are plotted. The number
on the outermost contour indicates the percentage of analyses which fall outside this curve.
The number above each graph refers to the total number of analyses for each rock family.
 195

Volcanic Rocks
CL R P
2687 Basalt 5190
3407

1000 2000 looo 20oo 1000 2000

198

183 271

20OO 20oo 2000

Tholeiite
24

High Alumina basalt

2000

160g
1981 2356

1000 2000 2O0O 2000

550 Andesite 299

lUUU 2000 30O0

Dacite
95 62

Rhyodacite
2000
2000
®
196

CL P
@ 87

590
3
,~ 2000 ~ Alkali Rhyolite
8 448

lo0o 2o00 3000

lOOO 2000 3000

Rhyolite .

578

Olivine basalt

288

Alkali basalt

1000

212 o 177
70

1000 looo 1000

60 Hawaiite
117
80

to(X) 1o00 1000

Mugearite
 197

CL P

306 219

Trachyte
1000 0 1000

47
37

Shoshonite
1000 2000 ~- 1ooo
132

61

Latite
1000 2000 1000 2000

R
457 178
143

1000 1000 0 1o00

198 Basanite 1:36

- lOO0 0 1000 - 1000 0 1000 -1000 0

Phono~ite
©
Fig. 4 B and C. For c a p t i o n see p. 1 9 4 .
198

Plutonic Rocks

CL P
322
1191

Gabbro
2000 3OOO I000 2000 3000

440

85

Diorite
3000 1000 2000

179
108

Monzonite
1000 2000 0 1000
59 242

Tonalite
3000 2000 3000

®
 199

CL P
617

Granodiorite
476
2000 3000

194

2000 3000
Adamellite
2000

1116
o 499

Granite
1000 2000 3000 1000 2000 3000

220

179

Syenite
0 1 o0o 2000 0 1000
142
47

( .
Nepheline Syenite
-1000 0 -10o0 o

@
Fig. 4 D and E. For c a p t i o n see p. 1 9 4 .
 200

300(
R:~ 6 C a + 2 M g * A I /j/b, r
4

/°He

i
\.
\.

Fe+Ti
O,-- • l
1000 2000 3000

Fig. 5. Distribution in the R1R2-diagram of eight volcanic rock families (basalt, basanite,
andesite, mugearite, dacite, rhyolite, trachyte and phonolite); data from the CLAIR file. The
contours are equivalent to the outermost curves of Fig. 4.

{2) The classification grid, which was essentially defined for volcanic rocks,
also satisfactorily fits their plutonic counterparts.
(3) Comparing the CLAIR and PETROS nomenclatures with that used in the
grid on the R,R2-diagram gives a mean concordance of 69% for the volcanic
rocks and 57% for the plutonic rocks (Table III).
(4) Because of their large dispersion across the "critical line of silica satura-
tion", the successive belts of "basaltic", "andesibasaltic" and " a n d e s i t i c "
rocks in general can be subdivided with confidence.
(5) The elongation of the distribution areas of most of the igneous families,
excluding the poorly-defined extensive rock types such as "basalt" and
"andesite" (Fig. 4), and the distribution of their maxima closely follow the
mean evolution trends of the main igneous rock series (see Fig. 1). This il-
lustrates the consistency between the classification grid and basic petrology.
(6) Semantic problems are well illustrated by some examples:
Ca) Families, such as the basanite and the diorite families as defined in
the PETROS file, have bi- or polymodal distributions.
(b) Other families plot in domains far from the position corresponding to
their classical definition. For example, the term " m o n z o n i t e " in CLAIR is
applied to rocks with rather high silica oversaturation, instead of "quartz--
monzonite" as in the North American literature. As noted by Streckeisen
and Le Ma~re (1979), a majority of these rocks clearly fall in the field of
T A B L E III
Statistical distribution, expressed as percentages, of the main igneous rocks families inside the pigeon-holes of the classification grid in the R,R=
-diagram
I ~ ® ® '

\ ~0,,~dins to i i
\ the grid in

it'~ "~ r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ = ~ ~ ~ .~ ~ .~ :: : ~ ~. ~ "{ ." ]nomenclatureX\ ~ ~ "~ • : : ~

the recording in
II'EIROS f i l e

I,ati~e 25 .: , .! 15 18 15 13 67
Latite [12 II u 2 J J l 2 12 ~ ,7 t ' 14 ~ ] .',.'
gati basalt 72 2~ ~7 77 ~ 3~ 1 ~ 47
Lati basalt i' '! 14 ," .'7 16 : 22 16 ~ ; ,/
Tractlyte ~ d ,! 14 40 ?0 r :7 7 7 2 207
Trachyte ,' 16 37 24 : .' ~ : ,T ; 2 : ] 5;':
Phonolite '," 32 58 7 7 l l 7Z9
Phonollte l , 38 48 : i $ 7
Ne, basalt l 12 ~0 32 19 / i 17 l 152
Basanite ~ ,: 41 2 6 7 ,: 16 i J
Mugearite ' 77 i~ ~ 9 ( :' / 3 8 14 2 2 112
Tephrite ~ 21 22 2 6 2 #
}lawaiite 7 2. ; 16 4~ 15 ~ ': 176
Mugeari te 7 3 3 $ ' 5 q 7 ~ 45 : ,± 2
Alkali basalt , / / 7 30 43 2 2~7
Hawaiite ' ,- 30 42 1c I;' V High A1 b a s a l t ¢ 39 56 25
Tholeiite 58 30 8 2 l i 'c
Tholeii~e '; f f 55 28 13 '~g[
Basalt 4 7 7 L 2 7 5' L 2 17 30 19 c" i
olivine basalt 7 7~ / 7 l / 13 17 4 0 ~ 5!~
Andesite ] ] 5 ! 7 7 2~ 42 20 $ ,' d' J
Basalt 7 ; ,' 7 7 : ' '; 3 6 2 8 19 ; t 4701~
Dacite 3 2 J 47 33 ,"
Andesite i ~ C $ '] f 2 ' i ' '~ 23 36 16 , ifl,d
Rhyodaeite 3 4 16 ~ 34 23
Daci[e i i 2 7 '? 7 50 28 4 '~92
Rhyolite l 4 ; 12 48 34 ' ;7':
Ri/yodacite j 22 d ,5 '2 / 19 1 ~ 2 0 ] /d
Alkal i-rhyolite 1 21 65
- i Rhyolite ] ? ~1 3 7 ,t 3 4 33 [ $91

- CLAIR =~ ~ - ' PETROS

~ g
"\, Ri R2

the recording in \
tl
I........ il~ \ i
Monzonite 2 4 2 1 : 2 ? 3 ,~ 4 7 7 7 72 26 34 3 27i'
Monzonlte 4 3 7 ¢ I$ 7 52 ~ 2 7 2 3 70~
Syenite : 4 7 1 7 4 38 32 2 3 ~: $ 7 7 ? 7 :,22
Syenite 7 6 53 31 3 2 Z
Ne. s y e n i t e 100 C4
Re. syenite 91 a 3 42
Theralite 33 45 1I 12
£sse×ite 3 12 J2
Essexite 29 33 4 1,2 4 72 27
Syeno diorite .~ 9 2 4 2 97
Cabbro 1 ,? 3 1 3 2 3 24 21 22 9 Z 919 gabbro
Diorite 4 ? 4 7 2 4 2 7 5 14 21 18 12 gabbro ,~ 7 2 q 29 21 I7 ]
Tonallt~ 5 5 2 5 2 9 2 0 23 22 5 ,';5 Diorite i 8 9 '~ ~ a ~ ?9 5 22 15 :, 2
i 80
Granodiorite 3 I 4 ; 7 9 29 43 23 / ,59 Tonalite I i ; 10 33 43 12 238
Adamellite 3 3 i 7 9 31 52 Granodiorite ii s 4 26 46 19 ! 474
Granite 2 4 22 55 14 7777 j Granite ~ 4 " 7 3 19 51 19 469

[ _ __

The chemical data are from the CLAIR (CL) a n d P E T R O S (P) files. N: n u m b e r o f analyses; 30: percentages for w h i c h there is a good c o n c o r d a n c e
b e t w e e n current nomenclature and redefined n o m e n c l a t u r e in the grid.
202

" m o n z o granites". On the contrary, " m o n z o n i t e s " in PETROS have a low

silica undersaturated character and fall in the " s y e n o d i o r i t e " field.
(7) In such cases of heterogeneous distributions, the general mean com-
position [Table II, q) ] has no clear significance and must be replaced by sub-
sets of partial means at the scale of the different modes. Using a computer
program, these partial means have been calculated from samples falling inside
small rectangular windows centered on the different modes [ Table II, ® ].
(8) These observations illustrate the present lack of consistency among the
different classification systems and variations in their application by the in-
dividual authors from whom the analyses were taken. For example, the large
spread within the gabbro and diorite families may be explained, at least par-
tially, by the presence of many cumulate rocks.

MEAN COMPOSITIONS OF REDEFINED ROCK TERMS

The grid of the RiR2-diagram can now be applied to redefine the chemical
composition of the principal igneous families. For this, samples from the
CLAIR and PETROS files have been separated according to their distribution
within the different pigeon-holes of our grid. The mean compositions of these
redefined families are presented in Table II (in italics).
A statistical study performed on these families reveals, in most cases, a
rather well-defined unimodal distribution. However, this is not true for the
"tholeiitic" family which shows two well-separated modes. Such a distribu-
tion may be related to the crossing over of two main igneous series in this
pigeon-hole: the tholeiitic series and the calc-alkaline series (Fig. 1). We have
then divided the "tholeiite" pigeon-hole in two parts: a right-hand part where
essentially " t r u e " tholeiites are located (mean composition in Table II) and
left-hand part where mixed tholeiites and calc-alkaline basalts occur (for this
reason no mean composition has been given).
The following comments are made on the data in italics in Table II:
(1) Some families, such as the melteigite and ijolite, are poorly defined be-
cause of the lack of sufficient data in the files.
(2) For most of the families there is a good agreement between the mean
compositions defined with the help of the grid and the mean compositions de-
duced from the current nomenclature.
(3) Significant differences, however, exist between the two sets of mean
compositions for intermediate rock types such as the lati-basalt, latite and
monzonite families. The new set of mean compositions appears to agree more
closely with the current definitions of these families than the previous one.

SILICA CONTENTS ON THE R~R2-DIAGRAM

It is c o m m o n l y considered (Chayes, 1969; Streckeisen and Le Ma~re, 1979)

that the distinction between "basalt" and "andesites" should be principally
defined by silica content (52 wt.% according to the I.U.G.S. SubCommission,
 203

52.5 or 53 wt.% according to other proponents). Main subdivisions based on

silica content seem to be applied in the U.S.S.R. to the whole field of igneous
rocks (documents issued b y the Petrographic Commission of U.S.S.R.).
To help resolve this controversial point, we have drawn contours for silica
contents on the R~R2-diagram using the CLAIR file (Fig. 3). It is apparent that
the use of the silica index should be restricted to the calc-alkaline series, in the
right-hand section of the diagram. Going from right to left towards the tholei-
itic, subalkaline and alkaline series, the silica contours become more and more
oblique to the grid. Silica contours are also oblique in the field of granites or
rhyolites. But their subsidiary use for the discrimination of basalts
(48--52 wt.%), andesibasalts (52--56 wt.%), andesites (56--61 wt.%), dacites
(61--65 wt.%) and rhyodacites (> 65 wt.%) seems to be warranted.

MODAL DATA AND THE RIR2-DIAGRAM

Total-rock chemistry and modal mineralogy are two different expressions

of the same bulk composition. Any chemical projection or diagram includes a
mineral network. Inside of this, the plotted bulk composition of a rock is a
barycentric combination of the figurative points of its mineral components.
For a rock with modal data but no chemical data, the position of this rock
can be approximately located within the R1R2-diagram by simple geometric
construction from weight ratios among minerals. Firstly, the "feldspar frac-
t i o n " obviously falls along the first bisecting line of the R,R~-diagram: alkali
feldspar at the fixed point Ab--Or, plagioclase plotting according to its
basicity along the join Ab--An. The figurative point of the "feldspar fraction"
as a whole can be fixed between these t w o points according to the ratio alkali
feldspar/plagioclase. Then, from the ratio quartz or nepheline/feldspars, the
"leucocratic fraction" can be plotted on the line joining the feldspar fraction
and quartz or nepheline. Similarly, the "coloured fraction" may be plotted
from the respective locations and ratios of the coloured minerals, including
opaque minerals. Finally, the plotted bulk composition of the rock can be
fixed on the line joining the "leucocratic" and " c o l o u r e d " fractions, accord-
ing to their respective proportions.
When the mineralogy is rather simple, as is frequently the case for igneous
rocks, such a geometric construction is rapid and relatively precise. An ac-
curate location of the "coloured fraction" will be critical only for inter-
mediate and basic rocks. In this case, a quantitative estimate of the
abundance and chemical composition of the major mafic minerals will be
required.
An equivalent result may also be attained by a mathematical calculation
which can be defined as follows. The " R " - (R,- or R2-) values of the whole
rocks are linked with the "r"-values of their mineral contents according to the
following barycentric equation:
R = Y,(rXm)/Zm = Y,(rXvXd)/Y,(vXd)
204

TABLE IV

R,R 2- and d- (density) values for some c o m m o n minerals of igneous rocks. Chemical data
from:
(1) Theoretical compositions.
(2) Deer et al. (1963): biotite (Vol. HI, table 12, Nos. 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12); hornblende
(Vol. II, table 40, Nos. 11, 15, 17, 19, 20); riebeckite (Vol. II, table 54, Nos. 1, 4, 6);
enstatite (Vol. II, table 2, Nos. 2--5); ferrohypersthene (Vol. II, table 2, Nos. 17, 18);
augite (Vol. II, table 17, Nos. 3, 5--8. 10); ferroaugite (Vol. II, table 18, Nos. 4, 5, 7,
10--12); pigeonite (Vol. II, table 22, Nos. 2--5); aegirine (Vol. II, table 12, Nos. 3, 6);
forsterite (Vol. I, table 2, Nos. 5, 6); fayalite (Vol. I, table 2, No. 18).
(3) Maury (1976): pargasitic hornblende (table 29, Nos. I--10); magnetite (table 28,
Nos. 1, 3, 9, 13--15); ilmenite (table 28, Nos. 2, 4, 16, 17).

Minerals r I r,,~:: ,ff(gm/cc)

Quartz (I) + 6666 0 i/ . 65

Orthoclase (i) + 36(] + 360

Albite (I) + 382 + 382

Anorthite (1) + 2880 ~ 2880 2, 7

Nepheline(1) - 4928 + 704 ,~1

Leucite (I) - 1408 + 464

Biotite (2) - 499 + 750 l,' , q 0

Hornblende (2) + 2220 + 2099 ,i4

Pargasitic hornblende (3) + 1018 + 2084 • 2£}

Riebeckite (2) - 43-i + 169 • 4 ,r)

Enstatite (2) + 3584 + 1807 .30

Ferrohyper sthene (2) + '2391 + 801 .60

Augite (2) + 2906 + 3010 :', . 2 0

Ferroaugite (2) + ~310. + 2276 .50

Pigeonite (2) + 2568 ~ 1579 .4 0

Aegirine (2) 1775 + 236 • 60

Forsterite (2) + 2504 ~ 11!528 ,5 ()

Fayalite (2) + 190 + 121 4.10

Magnetite (3) - 2357 + 222 :~ . 2 0

Ilmenite (3) - 2519 + 197 4 . 70,

 205

where m, v and d respectively stand for partial masses, partial volumes and
densities of the mineral components. Taking r and d as fixed or determined
values, RI and R2 of a rock can be calculated from its modal mineral contents
which, currently, is expressed as partial volumes v (vol.%). Table IV gives a set
of r- and d-values for the most c o m m o n minerals. In practice, deviations from
these fixed values will be low for the leucocratic minerals but could be critical
for the mafic minerals with u n c o m m o n Fe/Mg ratios.
Taking a gabbroic cumulate and a granite, for which both modal and chem-
ical data are available, as examples, the paired R,,R:-values demonstrate the
capability of the two methods (Table V).
There need be n o basic incompatibility between chemical and mineralogical
methods of classification of igneous rocks. Norm calculation can approximate
the mineral contents from chemical compositions. Conversely, chemical param-
eters can be approximated from mineral contents. The viability of the conver-
sion from either direction depends u p o n the consistency of the model used.
The classical norm calculation c a n n o t easily be transferred to the Q--A--P--F
modal classification triangles because of the difficulty in deciding h o w to parti-
tion Ab between A and P. Uncertainties in RI,R2, w h e n applied to modal data,
will depend to a first approximation on the reliability of the estimate of the
Fe/Mg ratio in mafic minerals.

TABLE V

Chemical composition, modal composition and R1R2-values for a gabbroic cumulate of

Rhum, Scotland (Brown, 1956; Wager and Brown, 1967) and for the granite of Senones,
Voages, France (De la Roche, 1964; De la Roche and Govindaraju, 1976).
The R 1- and R2-values are calculated starting from the chemical compositions (A), and
from the modal compositions using a graphical method (B) or a mathematical calculation
(c).
For the gabbroic cumulate, the differences between the RtR2-values calculated from chem-
ical and modal analyses occur, at least partially, because opaque minerals were not included
in the modal calculations.
Gabbrcic cumulate (H5049) Granite (GS-N)

Chemical Modal R 1 R2 values Chemical Modal R 1 R 2 values

composition composition composition composition
I
SiO 2 47.33 SiO 2 66.68
AI203 20,08 OLtFo86) : 18 AI203 14.86 Q = : 19,7
A I RI = 2564 A ] R1 : 1877
Fe 203 t 4 . 15 Fe203t 3,80
MnO 0.08 CPX 23:
R2 2568 MnO 0.09 Alk. Felds. : 35.5 iR2 677
(Wo44 En49 FeT)
MgO 12.53 MgO 2.33
B ~i = 2595 B ] R1 = 1860
CaO 14.47 PL ( An85) : 59 CaO 2.53 PL(An30) : 33.8
Na20 1 .34
2600
Na20 3.82 tR 2 64O

K20 O.O7 K20 4,69 Bi 8.2

TiO 2 O. 15 TIO 2 0.69 C / R1 = 1835

L.I.
O. 1 7 2603
L.I. 0.49
Horn : 3.1 / R2 666

T 1OO. 37 99.98
206

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of the chemical compositions of igneous rocks using the

rectangular R 1R2-diagram has the following advantages compared with previ-
ous graphical classification systems:
(1) The two multicationic chemical parameters R, and R 2 are simpler to
calculate than classical norms.
(2) The R1R2-diagram incorporates all of the major elements which are
relevant to both the rock mineralogy and petrology.
(3) In general, the arbitrary partitioning of elements such as Fe between
oxides and silicates or the partitioning of albite between plagioclase and alkali
feldspar is not necessary.
(4) The plotting of a rock analysis is n o t dependent on any hypothetical se-
quence of crystallization, contrary to the calculated normative residual
systems.
(5) The diagram emphasises the relationship between both the nomenclature
and chemistry of volcanic and plutonic igneous rocks.
(6) With the aid of the grid, a statistically more rigorous definition of the
mean composition of 46 igneous rock names has been accomplished, elimina-
ting many of the ambiguities associated with rock terms such as monzonite.
The lack of sufficient data to clearly define other rock compositions such as
for the ijolites is emphasised.
(7) The relationships between different rock types of, for example, a differ-
entiation sequence are more clearly portrayed.
(8) Modal compositional data can just as readily be used as chemical data.
The value of the R 1R2-diagram, like that of similar diagrams, depends on
how satisfactorily the selected projection displays the general relationship that
the igneous series have in multivariant chemical space.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We should like to thank Dr. F. Chayes (Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie

Institution of Washington), Prof. R.W. Le Ma~re (University of Melbourne)
and Prof. F.E. Mutschler (Western Washington University) for having provided
us with their chemical data files; the E.D.T.A. team of the C.R.P.G. for the
automatic treatment of the data files; Dr. A. Chivas and Dr. S. Sheppard for
editing and improving our English manuscript.

APPENDIX -- PARTITION OF THE MAJOR CATIONS APPROPRIATE TO A

CHEMICAL VERSION OF YODER AND TILLEY's TETRAHEDRON

From the mineral network to the resultant numerical constraints:

Quartz [SiO2] at the Q-apex (Fig.A-1 and Table A-I):

Sq = 1 and Sb = s t = Sp = 0 (A-l)
 207

B
CPX

~ .

Nil,,
N ~"~.~oPx OL
P
Fig. A-1. The Yoder and Tilley tetrahedron.

Olivine [(Mg, Fe)2SiO4 ] at t h e P-apex:

atQ: 2mq +1=0 .'. mq = -1/2 (A-2)

at B: 2rob = 0 :'. mb= 0 (A-3)

atN: 2ran = 0 .'. mn= 0 (A-4)

=~ m p = 3/: (A-4a)

C l i n o p y r o x e n e [Ca(Mg,Fe)Si206 ] at t h e B-apex:
at @: Cq + mq + 2 = 0 [ w i t h mq = -1/2 (A-2)] " Cq = _3/: (A-5)

at P: Cp + mp = 0 [ w i t h m p = 3/2 (A-4a)] • Cp = _3/~ (A-6)

at N: cn + m n = 0 [ w i t h mn = 0 (A-4)] " Cn -- 0 (A-7)

Cb = 4 (A-7a)

A n o r t h i t e [CaA12Si208 ] o n t o t h e QN-edge:
at P: Cp + 2ap = 0 [ w i t h Cp = _3/: (A-6)] " ap = 34 (A-8)

atB: Cb + 2ab = 0 [withcb=4(A-7a)] " ab = - 2 (A-9)

aq + an = 9/4 (A-9a)

F e l d s p a t h o i d s [ (Na,K)2A12Si2Os] at t h e N-apex:
atQ: 2kq + 2aq + 2 = 0 (A-ZO)

at P: 2 k p + 2ap = O- [ w i t h ap = 3/4 (A-8)] kp = (A-ZZ)

at B: 2 k b + 2ab = 0 [ w i t h ab = - 2 (A-9)] k b -- 2 (A-12)

=* kq + kn = -1/4 (A-12a)
208

T A B L E A-I

S y m b o l s used for t h e p a r t i t i o n c o e f f i c i e n t s o f each c a t i o n or g r o u p of cations, b e t w e e n t h e

four apices o f t h e t e t r a h e d r o n

ns
Si A1 Fe, Ti, Mg Ca Na, K

Q s a m c k
q q q q q
B
sb ab mb cb kb
N s a m c k
n n n n n
P s a m c k
_2 _2 _2 _2 _2

E l 1 1 l 1

Albite [NaA1Si308 ] and anorthite at the same point onto Q N :

(kq + aq + 3 ) / ( k n + a n ) = (Cq + 2aq + 2)/(Cn + 2an) (A-13)
or

(kq + kn + aq + a n + 3 ) / ( k n + an) = (c a + Cn + 2aq + 2an + 2)/(Cn + 2 a n )

which, combined to (A-9a) and (A-12a), and with Cq = -3/2 and Cn = 0, gives:

5 / ( k n + a n ) = S/2a n or an = kn (A-13a)
(A-13a) combined with (A-9a) and (A-12a) yields:
aq + kq = s/2

... and, with (A-10):

aq = 3/4, kq = -v/4

or, with (A-9a) and (A-12a):

a n = 35, k n = 3/2

Derived multicationic parameters

Taking the symbols Si, A1, Fe, Mg, ..., for cationic or millicationic numbers,
and applying the coefficients defined above gives the four multicationic param-
eters Q, B, N, P which respectively come at the apices of the tetrahedron.
For example, at the quartz apex:
Q = s q S i + a q A l + mq (Mg+Fe+Ti) + c q C a + kq (Na+K)
 209

gives, f r o m the above calculations:

Q = Si + 3A1/4 - ( M g + F e + T i ) / 2 - 3Ca/2 - 7 ( N a + K ) / 4
T h e c o m p l e t e set o f f o u r m u l t i c a t i o n i c p a r a m e t e r s , so calculated, is given in
the main t e x t o f this paper.

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